Dodecylguanidine Suspension Concentrate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fungicidal suspension concentrates of dodecylguanidine are limited in concentration, stability, and ecological profile, leading to high transportation costs and potential environmental impact, with existing surfactants being incompatible with dodecylguanidine.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous suspension concentrate with a median particle diameter of at least 7 μm and up to 40 μm, using non-ionic surfactants and a higher active ingredient content, which maintains stability and efficacy while reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the concentration of active ingredient in suspension concentrate is increased, then transportation cost and packaging complexity are reduced, but the formulation becomes unstable and particles settle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from conventional fine particles (<5 μm) to larger particles (7-40 μm median diameter). This parameter change allows significantly higher active ingredient concentration (544 g/l vs. typical 400 g/l) while maintaining suspension stability and preventing particle settling, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite formulation system combining dodecylguanidine acetate with specific non-ionic surfactants and thickening agents. This composite approach creates a stable highly concentrated suspension where the surfactant-wetted larger particles remain dispersed uniformly, achieving both high concentration (544 g/l) and long-term storage stability
2Reliability
If particle size of active ingredient is reduced to increase surface area, then chemical activity is improved, but concentration is limited due to stability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional particle size approach by using larger particles (7-40 μm median diameter instead of <5 μm). This counterintuitive parameter change, combined with non-ionic surfactant treatment, maintains sufficient chemical activity while enabling much higher concentration levels (544 g/l vs. typical formulations), thus resolving the contradiction between chemical activity and concentration
3Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used to improve wetting properties, then particle dispersion is improved, but compatibility with dodecylguanidine is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surfactant type parameter from conventional anionic or cationic surfactants to non-ionic surfactants. This parameter change resolves the compatibility issue with dodecylguanidine acetate while still providing effective wetting and dispersion properties for the active ingredient particles in the suspension concentrate formulation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation achieves higher concentration, stability, and reduced toxicity, maintaining or improving efficacy against fungal diseases, and simplifying handling and storage with increased particle size.
Implementation Method 1
Formulators have introduced surfactants into suspension concentrates to improve wetting properties to keep the active ingredient particles dispersed in the liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
improve wetting properties to keep the active ingredient particles dispersed
Implementation Method 3
An aqueous suspension concentrate with a median particle diameter of at least 7 μm and up to 40 μm, using non-ionic surfactants and a higher active ingredient content, which maintains stability and efficacy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a suspension concentrate comprising, expressed by weight based on the total weight of the composition: a) 40 to 80% particles of dodecylguanidine or an acid salt of dodecylguanidine of the structure (1), wherein X represents an acid residue of a monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or a mineral acid, b) 0 to 10% of an anti-freeze compound, c) 1 to 10% of a wetting agent and/or d) a dispersing agent, e) 0 to 5% of an antifoaming agent, f) remainder water characterized in that, the median diameter of the particles (d50) is at least 7 μm and below 40 μm; and its use for the treatment of a fungicidal disease on crops or ornamental plants.